Practical Tips for OCD

I’d like to expound on my last blog by making a list of tips for managing OCD.

To reiterate: I am not a therapist and I do not profess to understand all aspects of OCD. I can’t guarantee any of my experiences will help you. But, in case anyone would find this helpful, I wanted to share. 🙂

So, here we go.

1. Quit labeling everything. Don’t overthink it.

I used to get so weighed down every time I had to clean house because I felt guilty. I felt like I was giving in to a compulsion even when what I was cleaning was legitimately dirty. That’s why I’ve found a schedule so helpful.

Wiping down a dirty bathroom sink daily is not a compulsion. Sweeping your entryway every other night is not a compulsion. Washing your hands after handling something dirty is not a compulsion. These are simply parts of keeping a tidy home and having good hygiene.

Sometimes people start labeling everything as OCD. So evaluate – what’s an appropriate approach to this? Don’t overthink things, but think through them. Trust your common sense. Stick to your schedule. Then, move on.

2. Work on your self-discipline.

You can choose to control your compulsions all on your own. Determine ahead of time that you will only check the door knob twice, or decide you will not dwell on an intrusive thought. Make yourself adhere to whatever boundaries you’ve set. You’re ultimately the only one who can decide to help yourself.

John MacArthur has a great sermons series called “The Art of Self-Control.” Give it a listen!

3. Be reading your Bible.

I should have put this one first. Your self-discipline, common sense, and ability to think through things are all going to depend on what truth is in your head and heart. Read a Proverb a day, go through Genesis, or read through the Gospels. Start somewhere.

4. Arm yourself for the fight.

Reading your Bible is the best way to “keep your armor ready for battle”. Some other ways are: have an accountability partner, pray, or make a list of motivators – reasons you want to succeed at this.

5. Invest in other things.

Don’t spend all your time with idle hands. Play an instrument. Learn to crochet. Pick a craft. Organize a closet. Go for a walk. Reach out to a neighbor. Start a blog. The possibilities are endless. Don’t do nothing and dwell on OCD, but keep your mind and hands busy with something of value.

6. Take your time doing a job well and say it out loud.

It’s easy to get sloppy in our day to day, especially if we struggle with wanting to keep everything clean. Sometimes it’s been hard to do a good job mopping because I think, “I’m just going to do this again”. I found that when I took my time doing a quality job on something, I could relax a little. No need to redo it until it “feels right” or to double check something.

When I was training my brain to ignore certain compulsions, I’d say the task out loud when it was complete. For example, every time I straighten my hair I say out loud, “I unplugged my hair straightener.” It helps me remember so I don’t need to double check. If my husband’s home, I’ll tell him and then I really don’t need to double check.

So take your time and then say, “I locked the door. I turned off the stove. I checked the lights.” Choose to be done with the task after that.

All of these things kind of tie together. I don’t have all the answers by any means, but I’ve seen these tips really help me. I’d love to hear some of your practical tips! 🙂

Thanks again for reading my content. I’m cheering for you!

❤ Grace